Lock and latch construction



H. HANSEN 2,034,655

LOCK AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 7, 1933' l9 INVENTOR Herman flansen A/"I'TORNEYS Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK AND LATCH CONSTRUCTION York Application October 7, 1933, :Serial No. 692,556

13 Claims.

This invention relates to lock and latch construction, particularly to certain constructions of this character employed in heavy-duty service.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, practical, inexpensive but thoroughly reliable lock and latch construction. Another object is to provide aconstruction of the above-mentioned character in which a key-control of a latch may be effectively and inexpensively achieved and whereby the latch may be made dependably to function as a dead bolt. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character that will be compact, foolproof in construction and action, and

' simple to control or operate. Another object is to provide' a latch construction in which the manufacture and assembly will be inexpensive and yet not detract from dependability of construction and action and durability. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in. the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, certain parts being broken away, of the lock and latch construction shown as applied in practical use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal central sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing more clearly certain of the features of construction;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view as seen along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as seen along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary portion of a view like that of Figure 1 showing a preferred embodiment of certain features, and

Figure 6 is an elevation, as seen from the right in Figure 5 of a locking bolt.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmg.

Referring now first to Figure 1, there is shown at ID a wall having a door-opening therein in which is suitably hinged a door ll. Mounted upon the door I I is the lock and latch construction and that includes a frame generally indicated at 12, having a base portion I3 suitably apertured, whereby screws 14, or the like, may be employed to secure the frame l2 to the door.

The right-handor forward portion ..of the frame i2 is hollow or housing-like in construction, having a front wall l5 provided with an opening I6, preferably square are rectangular in shape, through which is projectable .a latch bolt ll, more clearly described hereinafter. The front wall 15 is bounded at its sides by sidewalls .=l'8:l 9 (Figure 4) that extend rearwardly .or to the left, terminating in a rear wall .20 (Figure 1). Alined with the opening 16 in the front wall 15 is an opening 2| in the rear wall 20, that opening being preferably round.

The latch bolt I! is preferably shaped as is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, being slotted (see Figure 3) as at 22, thus providing side portions 23 and 24 joined at their forward ends by the active portion of the belt I"! and joined at their rear ends by a cross-portion 25. Secured to or integrally formed with the rear cross-portion 25 is a rearward extension or rod 26, preferably cylindrical, and extending through the opening 2| in the rear wall 20 (Figurel), the bolt I! being thus slidably supported and guided by the walls l5 and 20 (Figure l).

Interposed between the rear wall v2!! and the cross-portion 2-5 of the bolt l1 and extending about the bolt extension 26 is a helical spring 21 tending always to push the bolt ll toward the right, as viewed in Figure .1, and hence out of the frame housing l-5.

Extending between the side walls 18 and I9 of the frame is a bell crank lever 28 (Figure 1) pivoted to the :side walls by means of the ,pin 29; the long arm 28 of the lever .28 extends rearwardly or to the left, as viewed in Figure ,l, .and functions as an operating handle for the control of the latch bolt ll, while the other arm 28 of the lever 28 extends downwardly into the slot 22 of the bolt 1 l, engaging against the cross-portion 25 of the latter.

Spring 2'! acts normally to hold the latch boltll projected outwardly from the frame or housing and acts also to maintain the operating lever 28 in its normal position, the position of both the bolt I1 and the lever I8 being limited by the engagement of the arm 28 (Figure 1) of the lever 28 against a vertical wall portion ,30 (Figures 1 and 2) that substantially parallels the front wall l5, being bridged across between the side Walls |8-|'9 but terminating just above .the bolt l1.

Suitably secured to the frame or wall '20, as by screws, bolts, or the like, indicated at 3|, is a keeper or striker 32 suitably Shaped, for example as indicated in Figure 1, to coact with the latch H, the curved face H of the latch bolt H, together with the yieldability of the spring 21, permitting the latch bolt l'l, when the door II is swung closed, to by-pass the overhanging part of the keeper 32 and then spring into the recess of the latter, thus holding the door I I closed.

The side walls I8--l9 (Figure 4) and the vertical walls l5 and (Figure 1) form a recess 34, open at the top but closed at the bottom as by the horizontal wall portion 33 (see also Figures 2 and 4). The frame l2 may readily be cast to give it the shape above described in detail, though it may be noted that the recess 34, instead of being cored out, might be bored out or drilled and that conveniently it can be and preferably is of circular horizontal cross-section, its upper peripheral portion being preferably stepped, as at 35, better shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The bottom wall portion 33 of the recess 34 is preferably of substantial thickness and in it is formed a vertically extending channel or hole, positioned along the center line of the bolt H, the hole being threaded as at 36, preferably with a thread of relatively large pitch.

Threaded into the threaded hole 36 is a rotary locking bolt 37 conveniently and preferably given the form of a hollow cylinder, whose upper end wall 3'1 is provided with a transverse or diametrically extending slot 31 The locking member 31 is adapted to coact with the bolt ll and more specifically the slot 22 (see Figure 3) in the bolt IT is of such extent in a direction toward the right, as viewed in Figures 3 and 1, that, when the bolt I! is in normal extended position, as in Figures 1 and 3, the righthand end wall 38 of the slot 22 (see Figure 3) is substantially in vertical alinement with the righthand portions of the cylindrical locking bolt 31. Accordingly, if the locking member 31 is thereupon caused to descend, it enters the slot 22 of the bolt El and forms an abutment for the wall portion 33 (Figure 3) of the bolt l1, thus precluding withdrawal of the bolt I'I.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, seated in the step of the recess 34 is the escutcheon or front cylindrical plate 40 of a so-called cylinder lock barrel 4% having at its lower and diametrically opposed portions (see Figure 4) laterally projecting ears 4! and 42 provided with threaded openings. The bottom wall portion 33 of the recess 34 (Figure 4) is provided with suitably countersunk holes 33 and 33 adapted respectively to receive screws 43 and 44 whose upper ends are threaded into the threaded ears 4| and 42 respectively, the screws rigidly securing the barrel 40 in place.

The barrel 49 carries a rotatable key plug 4ll provided with a keyreceiving slot 43 and the parts 43 and 49 are provided with suitable co:- acting spring-opposed tumbler pins, or the like, whereby, upon the proper key being inserted into the key-receiving opening 49* the tumbler pins are suitably set or aligned to thereupon permit the rotation of the part 48 Preferably these parts are so related and constructed as is now well known in the art, that the insertion of the proper key permits the manual rotation, throughthe key, of the part 40 throughout an angle of 360.

Suitably secured to the lower or otherwise rear end of the rotatable part 40 of the key-controlled mechanism is an operating bar (Figures 2 and 4), partaking of whatever rotation the key gives to the part 40 The operating bar 45 extends downwardly through the slot 31 of the locking member 31 and extends to a substantial extent downwardly into the interior or hollow portion of the locking member 31.

Accordingly, when the proper key is inserted and the part 49 rotated, the operating bar 45 rotates the threaded locking member 31 relative to the bottom wall 33, the threaded interengagement of the locking member 31 with the wall portion 33 being such that this rotation causes the locking member 31 to descend and enter into the slot 22 of the bolt IT, with results already above described.

As above noted, the pitch of the thread on the parts 3l33 is preferably relatively large so that the available angle of rotation given the locking member 3! under the control of the key is adequate to project the locking member 3'! sufficiently into the recess 22 in the bolt IT to dependably lock the latter against retrograde movement.

Moreover, I preferably proportion the parts so that, as appears better in Figure 3, the side portions 23 and 24 of the slotted bolt ll underlie the openings 33 and 33 in the bottom wall 33 and hence underlie the screws 43 and 44 which secure the key cylinder and barrel construction above described in place; thus the upper surface of the bolt H, as viewed in Figure 1, moves in close proximity to the plane of the lower face of the wall portion 33 and, moreover, underneath these securing screws, thus blocking the latter against retrograde movement.

In view of the foregoing, the operation of the lock and latch construction will be clear; it might be noted, however, that, with the locking bolt 31 withdrawn, the door ll may be slammed shut or otherwise closed, the spring 2'! permitting retrograde movement of the latch bolt I? to by-pass the projecting part of the striker 32 and then causing the bolt H to spring into looking or latching position. To open the door, the handle 28 is grasped and the exertion of the normal pull in the direction of swinging the door I I open first causes the latch bolt I! to be withdrawn from the striker or keeper 32, the proportions of the two arms of the lever 28 greatly facilitating this action, whereupon the door I l may be swung open. If it is desired to lock the door against opening in the manner just described, the key is inserted into the slot 43 with the parts in the position shown in Figure l, and the key then given the appropriate turn, illustratively 360, thus rotating the locking bolt 37 and causing it to be projected downwardly into the recess 22 in the bolt I1, thus to lock the latter against retrograde movement.

Under certain circumstances it might be desirable or necessary to lock the bolt 21 against being projected outwardly of the casing and in such case I provide a cylindrical recess 46 (Figure 2) in the upper portion of the bolt I! to the right of the shoulder portion 38, and in line with the downward movement of the bolt-blocking member 31 when the bolt ii is withdrawn into the casing. Thus, the bolt may be locked against partaking of its normal functions, a feature presenting the advantage of precluding the accidental or intentional locking of a person into a vault, chamber, refrigerator, or the like.

In Figure 5 I have shown fragmentarily a structure like that above described but embodying a preferred form of locking bolt, the structure, and operation of the form of mechanism of Figure 5 being substantially the same as above described, excepting for the following features of construction and action:

' In the arrangement of Figure 5, the hole 36 is not threaded as was the case in Figures 1 and 2, but is bored out or drilled to provide a smooth cylindrical bearing surface in which is rotatably and slidably supported the rotary bolt I3! (see also Figure 6) the bolt l3! being cylindrical and being otherwise constructed, as described above in connection with Figures 1 and 2, to receive the operating bar 45 of the key-controlled mechanism 40 while maintaining connection therewith even though the bolt !3? moves along its axis as well as partaking of rotation.

The cylindrical locking bolt l3! (Figures 5 and 6) is provided with a helical groove or slo't I 3'! which, in the illustrative embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, extends substantially throughout 360 and hence throughout substantially one turn.

In the right-hand wall l5 of the frame l2 and hence in that face thereof that is closed over or covered by the keeper 32, as is clearly shown in Figure 5, there is threaded a screw i323, preferably countersunk, the screw having at its innermost end a cylindrical stud 138 dimensioned to be snugly received in the helical groove or slot I3! in the bolt I31, when the screw IE8 is driven home and lo'cked in place, this relation being clearly shown in Figure 5.

The end walls NW and 131 (Figure 6) in which the ends of the helical slot Nil terminate are, as the bolt I3! is rotated by the key in serted in the key-controlled mechanism at, therefore given respective paths of movement, such that they come into engagement with the stud I38 of the screw I38 (Figure 5) and thus limit the extent of rotary movement which the bolt I37 may partake of, the parts being, moreover, preferably so proportioned that the bolt l3? may thus be restricted to rotate throughout exactly 360.

However, as the bolt is thus rotated, either to enter the slot 22 of the latch bolt I! to lock the latter in extended position or to enter the recess 46 thereof to lock the latch bolt in withdrawn position, or as the bolt I31 is rotated, in opposite direction to withdraw the locking bolt I31 from either the slot l'2'2 or the recess I46, the coaction of the cam slot or helical groove 3? with the fixed stud I38 (Figure 5) causes the bolt I3! to partake of downward or upward motion along the guiding ways of the hole 36, depending upon the direction of rotation given the connecting bar 45 by the key and related mechanism.

The arrangement of Figures 5 and 6 has the further advantage that, where it is impracticable or undesired to pro'vide or employ a key-controlled mechanism 40 in which the rotation of the key cylinder, when the proper key is inserted, is definitely limited between extremes that permit the insertion or withdrawal of the key, the stud I 38*, in coacting with the end walls I31 and li-l'l of the cam slot [31 definitely limits the rotation of the rotary locking bolt I37 and thus also definitely fixes the limits of rotation of both the connecting bar 45 and the rotary key cylinder or barrel in the key-controlled mechanism 49 to limits such that the insertionand withdrawal of the key may be achieved at these respective limits.

In other respects, the operation and other advantages of the construction of Figures 5 and 6 will be clear in view of the detailed description above set forth in connection with Figures 1-4.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a lock and latch construction in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with .many practical advantages are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the construction is strong, durable, and foolproof in construction and action, and that, aside rom achieving a desirable compactness and neatness of appearance, it is of a character that lends itself to inexpensive manufacture and ease and rapidity of installation. Moreover, it will be seen that the construction is well adapted to meet the hard conditions of practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having therein a springopposed latch bolt adapted to be projected therefrom to engage a keeper, manually actuable means operable from the exterior of said casing for withdrawing said bolt, said bolt having a recess therein, and said casing having a fixed member having an opening therein substantially in alinement with the recess in said bolt when the bolt is projected, a rotary locking member rotatably related to said opening, said rotary member and said fixed member having coacting surfaces whereby rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation thereof along said opening and, depending upon the direction of rotation, said rotary member is moved into or out of said recess, key-controlled means carried by said casing for controlling the rotation of said locking member, said key-controlled means including a tumbler-carrying key plug which, for insertion or'withdrawal or" the key, must assume definitely limited rotary positions, and means providing limits for the rotary position of said tumbler-carrying key plug while maintaining effective range of motion of translation of said rotary member to move into or out of said recess.

2. In construction of the character described, in combination, an open bottomed casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, a bolt-blocking member, said bolt having two opposed parts between which said member, when the latter is moved into bolt-blocking position, extends; means in said casing movably supporting said blocking member for movement into or out of bolt-blocking position, key-controlled means for controlling the movement of said blocking member, and means operable through the open bottom of said casing for securing said key-controlled means in place, said securing means including two screws extending through two spaced openings covered respectively by said two opposed parts of said bolt, said opposed parts being of sufiicient length to cover said openings and hence said two screws throughout the range of sliding movement of said bolt.

3. In construction of the character described, in combination, an open bottomed casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, a bolt-blocking member, means in said casing movably supporting said blocking member for movement into or out of bolt-blocking position, key-controlled means for controlling the movement of said blocking member, and means operable through the open bottom of said casing for securing said key-controlled means in place, said securing means being interiorly accessible only upon removal of said bolt.

4. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, a bolt-blocking member, said bolt having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, means in said casing movably supporting said blocking member for movement into or out of said slot and hence into or out of bolt-blocking position, key-controlled means for controlling the movement of said blocking member, and means operable through the bottom of said casing for securing said key-controlled means in place, said securing means comprising a pair of threaded members spaced in a direction transverse of said bolt and respectively alined with the two bolt portions to either side of said slot and engaging said keycontrolled means interiorly of said casing and extending through an interior portion of the latter that is covered by said two portions to either side of the slot in said bolt.

5. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, means operable from the exterior of said casing for manually actuating said bolt, a rotary member carried by an interior rigid part, said rigid part and said member having coacting surfaces whereby rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation thereof, means including two spaced portions with either of which said rotary member may coact as selected whereby movement of said rotary member in one direction relative to either of said spaced portions prevents actuation of said bolt by said manually operable means in either bolt-retracting direction or bolt-projecting direction, depending upon which of said two portions said rotary member is made to coact with and movement in opposite direction permits operation of said bolt by said manual means, and key-controlled means carried by said casing for controlling the rotation of said rotary member.

6. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, keycontrolled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said key-controlled means, means for locking said bolt against movement and including a, rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation, said supporting means and said rotary member having coacting parts to limit the rotation of said rotary member, and a telescopic driving connection between said operating member and said rotary member whereby said key-controlled means rotates said rotary member throughout the range of motion of translation of the latter, said coacting parts acting through said driving connection to correspondingly limit the rotation of its operating member commensurately with the requirements of said key-controlled means.

7. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected through a wall of and hence out of said casing, key-controlled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said key-controlled means, means for locking said bolt against movement in either projecting or retracting direction and including a rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation, said rotary member being hollow and said operating member extending thereinto for maintaining driving connection throughout the range of motion of translation of said rotary member, said bolt having two recesses into either of which said rotary member is projectable when given said motion of translation, one of said recesses when said bolt is in projected position, underlying said Wall and said wall being of sufficient thickness in the direction of the length of the bolt to prevent exposure extraneously of said casing of said one recess.

8. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected through an end wall and hence out of said casing, key-controlled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said key-controlled means, means for locking said bolt against movement in bolt-projecting direction and including a rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation, said supporting means supporting said rotary member adjacent the inside face of said end Wall and so that said motion of translation is in a direction toward or away from said bolt, said bolt having a recess into which said rotary member is movable when the bolt is in retracted position and said wall and said recess being proportioned so that said recess, when said bolt is in projected position, extends to the inside of the outer face of said end Wall, said rotary member having a transverse slotted wall through which said operating member extends for maintaining operative driving connection with said rotary member throughout the range of motion of translation of the latter.

9. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, key-controlled means including a tumbler-carrying key plug which, for insertion or withdrawal of the key, must assume definitely limited rotary positions, carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said keycontrolled means, means for locking said bolt against movement and including a rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation, means forming a connection between said rotary member and said operating member, and means acting upon said rotary member for limiting the rotary motion thereof and for thereby limiting the rotary motion of said key plug in accordance with key-inserting or key-withdrawing requirements of the latter.

10. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slida-bly supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, key-controlled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said key-controlled means, means for locking said bolt against movement out of projected position or out of withdrawn position and including a rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said rotary member is accompanied by motion of translation, said bolt having a part positionable, in response to initial movement of said bolt, to either one side or the other, at will, of the path of movement of translation of said rotary member, means forming a connection between said rotary member and said operating member, and means acting upon said rotary member for limiting the motion of translation of said rotary member.

11. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having guiding means therein for slidably supporting a bolt, a bolt slidably supported in said guiding means and adapted to be projected out of said casing, key controlled tumbler and key plug means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said key-controlled means, said tumbler and key plug means requiring a certain definite range of rotation of said key plug means for locking said bolt against movement and including a rotary member and supporting means for said rotary member, said rotary member having a helical groove therein whose axis is substantially concident with the axis of rotation of said rotary member, said helical groove having stop-means related thereto, and said supporting means having a member co-acting with said groove and said stop means, and means whereby said rotary member is operated by said operating member, thereby also to cause said stop means and said member coacting therewith to define the range of rotation of said key plug to accord with its required range of rotation.

12. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having a bolt telescopically related thereto whereby the bolt may be projected out of said casing or drawn into the latter, a bolt-blocking member, said bolt having two recesses whereby said bolt-blocking member and said bolt upon said bolt being appropriately moved, may be telescopically related to' each other upon movement of said bolt-blocking member in a direction at an angle to the direction of movement of said bolt by entry of said member selectively into either of said recesses, key-controlled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said means, means supporting said bolt-blocking member in said casing and adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said bolt-blocking member is accompanied by motion of translation in a direction to telescopically relate said boltblocking member to said bolt or to remove said bolt-blocking member out of telescopic relation to said bolt, and a telescopic connection between said bolt-blocking member and said key-controlled operating member.

13. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casing having a bolt telescopically related thereto whereby the bolt may be projected out of said casing or drawn into the latter, a bolt-blocking member, said bolt having two recesses whereby said bolt-blocking member and said bolt, upon said bolt being appropriately moved, may be telescopically related to each other upon movement of said bolt-blocking member in a direction at an angle to the drection of movement of said bolt by entry of said member selectively into either of said recesses, key-controlled means carried by said casing and having an operating member rotatable under the control of said means, means supporting said bolt-blocking member in said casing and adapted to coact therewith so that rotation of said bolt-blocking member is accompanied by motion of translation in a direction to telescopically relate said boltblocking member to said bolt or to remove said bolt-blocking member out of telescopic relation to said bolt, and a telescopic connection between said bolt-blocking member and. said key-controlled operating member.

HERMAN HANSEN. 

